Sitting on one of Tanjong Pagar’s most-loved streets, Baristart Coffee Singapore is nowhere near hidden gem status like its original outlet in Hokkaido. The OG cafe is hidden in a small alley in downtown Sapporo, and is one out of only two outlets in the entire franchise; the Singapore branch marks its third outlet and first foray outside Hokkaido.
Its claim to fame—creamy lattes, made from top-grade Hokkaido milk and quality coffee beans. While the cafes in Hokkaido offer three types of milk, the Singapore outlet currently offers only one: the Biei Jersey Milk, a rich, full-cream dairy from Brown Jersey cows in Japan. The milk is used in all the beverages, and even some of the food items on the menu. The Biei Jersey Milk Coffee ($7.50) is a prettily bottled latte great for easy sipping, but hot coffees are Baristart’s best product—the lattes, flat whites and cappucinos ($6.70) are smooth, creamy cups that really surface the roast and sweet milk in their flavour. And whether you’re dining in at the well-furnished, airy cafe space or having your cuppa to go, latte art masters are able to create bespoke latte art on the spot.
It’s not just coffees at Baristart; a full menu of food offerings ensures you won’t go hungry while getting your shot of caffeine. Think simple mains done well—like the Tuna & Avocado Salad with Wasabi Dressing ($14.80), where generous slabs of pan-seared tuna get an extra kick from wasabi lemon vinaigrette; or the ultra indulgent Hokkaido Carbonara ($17.80) drenched in the same rich Hokkaido Biei milk. The Obihiro Butadon ($18.80) is another star item, grilled Kurobuta pork belly atop fluffy Japanese rice, that’s worth its weight as the priciest dish on the menu.
If you’re getting dessert, the Shaved Ice Shiro Kuma ($9.80) can be a tempting order—essentially a bingsu-type dessert shaped like a bear and served with your choice of homemade syrups or Biei Jersey Milk—but the real sweet worth ordering is the Chestnut & Mont Blanc ($8.80), a houji tea pudding parfait with vanilla ice cream, layers of cream, crispy feuillantine and buttery cookies. You’ll probably need another coffee after to slip out of that food coma.
